After playing host to the ‘Peaky Blinders’ where the empty and decaying terraces were used as the backdrop for filming throughout all seasons of this popular TV series, these streets have now been reclaimed.
It is notable that this location was chosen to represent 1920’s inner city deprivation as portrayed in the filming, without the need for any alterations to condition and state of these terraced homes that had been derelict for 10 years.
MCAU transformed ‘The Welsh Streets’ on behalf of Place First and Liverpool City Council and our work has been recognised in national and regional awards, including Winner of the Sunday Times Homes Awards 2018 for the Best Housing Project in the UK. It has also been voted in the Liverpool Echo as one of the coolest places to live in the City.
The transformation of 5 streets and over 400 empty Victorian terraced houses over 5 development phases involved comprehensive remodelling placing a family’s needs at the heart of the design process. Lateral conversions joined side by side houses to create a mix of 2 to 5 bedroomed family homes that are for affordable private rent.
All residents have access to landscaped communal gardens where once there were dark yards and alleys.
Later phases of new housing complement the area’s heritage and character.
The Welsh Streets has seen many former residents return recalling happy memories of the original community and many new are families attracted to the area creating a thriving revitalised community.